Process for securing a head to a container

ABSTRACT

The continuous side wall of a metal container is secured to a head therefor by forming a peripheral groove in the head for receiving an end of the side wall with adjacent sides of the groove at opposite sides of and engaging the end of said side wall. The end of the continuous side wall and the adjacent sides of the groove are bent concomitantly and laterally as a unit. A continuous weld is then applied around the peripheral groove to weld the end of the continuous side wall to a side of the groove.

United States Patent Massey Nov. 6, 1973 PROCESS FOR SECURING A HEAD TO A CONTAINER James A. Massey, 641 No. 1 Taulouse Ln., Memphis, Tenn. 38116 Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 246,882

Inventor:

US. Cl 29/470.5, 29/478, 29/482, 113/120 Y, 113/116 W Int. Cl 823k 31/02 Field of Search 113/120 Y, 116 W; 220/67; 29/4706, 470.5, 478, 479, 482, 483

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1943 McClary 113/120 Y l1/l951 AHearn 220/67 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 878,281 1/1943 France 113/120 Y Primary Examiner-Richard B. Lazarus Atl0rneyl-lugh P. Carter et al.

[57] I ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PROCESS FOR SECURING A HEAD TO A CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a container and process for securing a head thereto and more particularly to a process for reconditioning closed head drums by severing the end of the drum adjacent its head and then, after cleaning the drum, securing the same or a different head thereto without changing the volume or capacity of the drum.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, it is difflcult and often impossible to clean the interior of steel drums without removing ahead therefrom. After cleaning the interior of the drum by conventional methods, such as by blasting with sand, shot or the like, it has been the usual practice heretofore to bend the cut end of the drum or container to form the necessary flanges for attaching a new head thereto. This procedure not only requires considerable time and effort, but the capacity of the drum is reduced. For a 55 gallon drum, the capacity of the drum has been reduced approximately one and one-half gallons.

Another problem encountered with used steel drums is the fact that the drums are often discarded, thereby marring the appearance of the surrounding area whereby such discarded drums add to the pollution problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with my invention, I provide a method for reconditioning closed head drums wherein the continuous side wall of the drum is severed from its head. After cleaning the drum, a peripheral groove is provided in a head for receiving the continuous side wall so that the end of the side wall is clamped between the adjacent sides of the groove. The end of the continuous side wall and the adjacent sides of the groove are bent concomitantly and laterally as a unit and then a continuous weld is applied around the peripheral groove to weld the end of the side wall to at least one side of the groove to provide a fluid tight joint with the capacity of the reconditioned drum being the same as the capacity of the original drum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A container structure in the form of a closed head drum, which may be employed to carry out my improved process, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a conventional type steel drum reconditioned in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmental, sectional view showing the original drum prior to removal of its head;

FIG. 3 is a fragmental, sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the continuous side wall of the original drum is severed for the removal of its head;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental, sectional view showing the peripheral groove formed in the head which is installed after the drum is cleaned and showing the manner in which the end of the continuous side wall is clamped between the adjacent sides defining the groove; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmental, sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing the manner in which the continuous side wall for the drum and the adjacent sides of the groove in the head are bent laterally as a unit and also shows the continuous weld which secures the side wall to the head.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show a steel drum 10 having a continuous, cylindrical side wall 11 with a head 12 at each end thereof. FIG. 2 shows the original drum prior to removal of its head. The continuous side wall 11 of the original drum is secured to its head 12 in the usual manner by bending the end of the side wall 11 to form a flange 13 which extends alongside and spaced from the side wall 11, as shown-The head 12 is provided with a peripheral groove 14 of a size to receive the end of the side wall 11, including the flange 13. The groove 14 has sides 15 and 15a connected by a bottom portion 15b. Formed integrally with the outer peripheral side 15a of the groove 14 is an inturned flange 16 which extends between the side wall 11 and the flange 13 whereby upon pressing the adjacent members together, a joint is formed. A suitable sealing composition 17 is provided between the flange l6 and the juncture of the flange 13 with the continuous side wall 11, as shown in FIG. 2.

To clean the interior of the drum 10, the head 12 is removed therefrom by cutting the outer peripheral flange 15a of the head and then cutting off the end of the continuous side wall 11, parallel to the head 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The head 12 is then easily removed from the side wall 11 since the innermost peripheral flange 15 of the head 12 is not secured to the endof the continuous side wall 11.

After removal of the head 12 from the container or drum 10, the drum is cleaned by conventional means, such as by blasting sand, shot or the like against the inner surface of the drum. In view of the fact that such methods of cleaning drum-like containers are well known in the art to which my invention relates, no further description thereof is deemed necessary.

After the interior of the drum 10 has been properly cleaned, the original head 12 is then bent to provide an outer peripheral flange 18 which extends alongside and spaced from the innermost peripheral flange 15 of the head 12. While I prefer to use the same head 12 as was used on the original drum, it will be apparent that a new head 12 may be installed on the cleaned drum, if desired. The end of the continuous side wall 11 is inserted into a groove 19 which is defined between the peripheral flange l8 and the innermost peripheral flange 15 of the drum head 12, as shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the end of the continuous side wall 11 is positioned in the annular groove 19 prior to bending the outer peripheral flange -18 inwardly to the position shown in FIG. 4. Upon bending the outer peripheral flange 18 into the position shown in FIG. 4, the end of the continuous side wall 11 is clamped between the adjacent sides 15 and 18 of the groove 19, as shown. With the end of the side wall 11 thus clamped between the adjacent sides of the groove 19,1 bend the end of the continuous side wall 11 and the adjacent sides 15 and 18 of the groove 19 concomitantly and laterally as a unit, as

shown in FIG. 5. That is, the end of the continuous side wall 11 and the two peripheral flanges l5 and 18 defining the groove 19 are bent as a unit to cold form the metal whereby it remains in the set position, as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, the end of the continuous side wall 11 and the adjacent side walls of the groove 19 are bent approximately 7 in an outward direction, as

shown. After bending the end of the side wall 11 and the adjacent peripheral flanges of the head 12 to the position shown in FIG. 5, I apply a continuous weld 21 around the peripheral flanges defining the groove 19 whereby the end of the continuous side wall 11 is secured continuously to the peripheral flanges defining the groove 19, as shown.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that l have devised an improved process for forming a reconditioned container. By bending the end of the continuous side wall 11 and the adjacent sides'lS and 18 of the groove 19 as a unit in a lateral direction, the metal is cold formed whereby it remains in a set position and the end of the continuous side wall 11 is gripped firmly between the adjacent peripheral flanges of the drum head 12, thus making it possible to apply a continuous weld all the way around the innermost peripheral flange 15 for the head 12 whereby a continuous, water-tight joint is provided between the head 12 and the side wall llfor the drum. By providing a continuous weld and a continuous water-tight joint between the head and the side wall for the drum, l eliminate entirely the necessity of providing a sealing composition between the side wall of the drum and its head. Also, by providing means for reconditioning closed head drums, without decreasing the capacity of the drum, my reconditioned drums are of the same quality as new drums and at the same time i I use drums which have heretofore been considered worthless, thereby reducing the pollution problem brought about by the disposal of waste drums. Furthermore, by providing a continuous weld after the end of the side wall and the adjacent flanges 1S and 18 defining the groove 19 are bent laterally as a unit to cold form the metal, I not only facilitate the attachment of the head to the side wall but at the same time provide a drum which is stronger than the original drum.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

l. The process for securing the head of a metallic container to the end of a continuous side wall for the container comprising the steps of:

a. forming a peripheral groove in said head of a size to receive said end of said continuous side wall,

b. inserting said end of said continuous side wall into said groove,

c. moving at least one side of said groove toward said end of said continuous side wall so that said end is clamped between the adjacent sides of said groove,

d. bending said end of said continuous side wall and the adjacent sides of said groove concomitantly and laterally as a unit a distance to cold form the metal of said end of said side wall and said sides of said groove whereby it remains in a set position,

e. applying a continuous weld around said peripheral groove to weld said end of said continuous side wall to at least one side of said groove, and

f. forming said continuous side wall by cutting the side wall of a used container parallel to and adjacent the head therefor so that upon securing the head to said end of said continuous side wall to form a finished container the volume of said finished container is the same as the volume of said used container.

2. The process for securing the head of a metallic container to the end of a continuous side wall as defined in claim I in which said end of said continuous side wall and the sides of said groove are bent concomitantly and laterally approximately 7 /z after said end of said continuous side wall is clamped between the adjacent sides of said groove. 

1. The process for securing the head of a metallic container to the end of a continuous side wall for the container comprising the steps of: a. forming a peripheral groove in said head of a size to receive said end of said continuous side wall, b. inserting said end of said continuous side wall into said groove, c. moving at least one side of said groove toward said end of said continuous side wall so that said end is clamped between the adjacent sides of said groove, d. bending said end of said continuous side wall and the adjacent sides of said groove concomitantly and laterally as a unit a distance to cold form the metal of said end of said side wall and said sides of said groove whereby it remains in a set position, e. applying a continuous weld around said peripheral groove to weld said end of said continuous side wall to at least one side of said groove, and f. forming said continuous side wall by cutting the side wall of a used container parallel to and adjacent the head therefor so that upon securing the head to said end of said continuous side wall to form a finished container the volume of said finished container is the same as the volume of said used container.
 2. The process for securing the head of a metallic container to the end of a continuous side wall as defined in claim 1 in which said end of said continuous side wall and the sides of said groove are bent concomitantly and laterally approximately 7 1/2 * after said end of said continuous side wall is clamped between the adjacent sides of said groove. 